Banos de Agua Santa (translated as "Baths of Sacred Water") is the adventure capital of Ecuador. Situated in a valley at the base of the active Tungurahua Volcano (5,023 meters), there are enough affordable activities to keep any adrenaline junky happy. This Banos travel guide will help you plan your trip and make the most of your visit.
Compared to the big cities in Ecuador, Banos is relatively safe. However, petty crime still occurs as thieves target tourists. You can use your camera or smartphone openly during the day. However, take extra care when walking around at night. As a rule of thumb, don't carry anything you're unprepared to lose.
On the weekends, the pueblo swells with vacationing Ecuadorians. You'll be rubbing elbows with them, whether grabbing lunch, rafting whitewater rapids, or getting a beer at the local discoteca. Read more of our Banos travel guide to find the best places to hang out.
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Table of Contents
Getting There & Away
By Bus
Banos' small bus station is three short blocks from the city's main square. It's an easy, flat walk, so taking a taxi is unnecessary. If you need a taxi, going anywhere in the town shouldn't cost more than $1.
The bus station features several company offices with scheduled departure times and destinations indicated on the windows. Don't depend on a company representative to provide accurate information about what's available from other companies.
For example, when I went to buy a bus ticket to Guayaquil, I asked about morning departures. The first two reps indicated none were available. However, the last office in the station offered a 9 a.m. bus.
Getting Around Banos
By Foot
Banos is small enough that you can go anywhere in the pueblo on foot and walk the whole town in 30 minutes.
By Bicycle
Mountain bike rentals from almost every travel office allow riders to explore the region beyond the pueblo's limits.
By ATV or Go-Kart
You'll see them parked on the streets outside adventure tour companies throughout Banos. While a more expensive option for getting around the region, you'll see people of all ages having fun driving these vehicles.
By Taxi
Taxis are inexpensive if you want to head up the mountains for scenic views of the volcano and Banos without hiking or riding a bicycle. The taxi queue is next to the bus station. Taxis are unmetered, so get an estimate from a local before entering a negotiation.
Sample Costs
- $3 - One-way trip from central Banos to Zoo
- $15 - Roundtrip to Antennas or Casa del Arbol (treehouse)
By Bus
Local buses are helpful if you want to visit the outer edges of Banos. The average price is about $0.25 per ride. You can also use them to visit neighboring cities, such as Puyo. You can buy a ticket at the bus station or flag one down on the main street in front of the station.
Where to Stay
Hostels
Many hostels are located throughout central Banos, so you should have no trouble finding a place to stay for the night. On the busier weekends, either book in advance or arrive before Friday to ensure a room of your choice.
Quick Recommendations
- Quiet Night — Hostal Athene Moon
- Social Atmosphere — Papachos Hostel
- Partying — Erupcion Backpackers
- Amenities — Selina Banos
- City Entertainment — Erupcion Art Hotel & Hostel
- Cheap Stay — Community Hostel Banos
See also: Best Hostels in Banos
Hotels
Luna Runtun Adventure Spa - Caserio Runtun Km 6. If you're looking for the best hotel in Banos and have the money to spend, Luna Runtun's hotel tops the list. Perched on a precipice hundreds of meters above Banos, these hotel and spa facilities offer sweeping views of the valley. Rooms and suites run $100+ per night.
To enjoy the view without the hefty price tag, take a taxi ($6) to Cafe del Cielo for a coffee or a meal.
Short Term Housing
If you plan to spend weeks or months in the city, you'll want to rent a room or apartment. Your best bet is to negotiate a long-term rate with a hostel or use Airbnb.
Couchsurfing
There's a small Couchsurfing community in Banos.
Things to See & Do
In addition to its natural setting at the base of an active volcano, Banos is within easy walking, biking, or driving distance to a wide array of waterfalls and rivers. And because of Ecuador's small size, tour companies from Banos also operate biking and climbing trips to Cotopaxi Volcano, in case you missed it during your time in Quito.
Hot Springs (Termales)
There are two hot springs. The hot springs at Cascada de la Virgen are a five-minute walk from the town center. The waterfall is easy to see, so walk toward it. The entrance fee is $2, and towel rental is $1. The park is open day and night and can get very crowded; avoid it on weekends.
El Salado is a newer hot spring a few kilometers from central Banos. It's worth a bicycle or taxi ride to get there (maps aren't drawn to scale). These pools are situated alongside a creek and are only open during the day. Locals say the best time to visit is 5 a.m. when you have them to yourself.
Waterfall Tour (Ruta de las Cascadas)
Dozens of waterfalls, some of the biggest easily visible from the road, are within a 20-minute drive of Banos. There are numerous ways to visit them, from bicycling at your own pace to renting an ATV to taking a double-decker chiva for just $6.
Some waterfalls offer a ride across the canyon on a metal cable car ($1) for a closer look. The most impressive waterfall, Pailon de Diablo, allows visitors to hike ($1) right up to the falls and climb underneath them (if you're willing to get wet).
Scenic Views of Tungurahua Volcano & Banos
There are a few popular spots to look at Tungurahua and Banos from above. The first is the antennas perched atop mountains above Banos. This is the best spot for viewing Tungurahua from a distance; a roundtrip taxi will cost you $15.
The other option is to take a cab to the Casa de Arbol (treehouse), which is perched on the edge of a valley that runs down the side of the volcano. A roundtrip taxi here costs $15.
Massage & Spa Treatments
Many spas in central Banos offer a wide range of services, including regular massages ($20/hour) and hot stone massages ($25/hour). However, manicures & pedicures seem overpriced at $10 each.
Bridge Jumping/Swinging
Two nearby bridges allow visitors to jump off and swing like a pendulum. The higher bridge jump is $20.
Whitewater Rafting
The Pastaza River offers full—and half-day rafting trips. The class of rapids available may vary depending on water levels. Talk to tour operators to find out what you can expect. Typical rapids range from Class II-IV. However, Class V's might be available. Half-day trips run for $30.
Canyoning
Jump into Rio Blanco with an experienced guide for a series of four waterfall abseils in quick succession: 8, 12, 30, and 35 meters. The first two are more technical, while the third and fourth are vertical cliffs and, therefore, easier to descend. Half-day trips with lunch are $30.
Paragliding (Parapente)
Take to the sky like a bird with an affordable tandem paraglide.
Climb Tungurahua Volcano
Climbing this 5,023-meter active volcano is usually done over two days, with the night being spent at the Refuge (Base Camp) at 3,400 meters. Alternatively, you can make it a DIY trip and hike to the Refuge.
Mountain Biking Chimborazo Volcano
Like mountain biking Cotopaxi, you can drive up Chimborazo (6,267 meters), Ecuador's highest volcano, and bike back down. It's also possible to climb Chimborazo.
Monkey Reservation in Puyo
You can play with monkeys if you're willing to travel about an hour by bus and 15 minutes by taxi from Banos.
Food & Drink
Banos is an excellent place to sample the cuisine of Ecuador's Sierra regions. However, it does require an adventurous spirit (or should I say stomach).
Regional Dishes
Cuy (Guinea Pig) - Ecuadorians from all over the country enjoy cuy, which tastes like chicken and is notoriously difficult to eat. Be prepared to eat with your hands and get messy; it's a lot of work for little reward.
Llapingachos is a popular dish consisting of fried mashed potatoes (called tortillas), chorizo, a fried egg, avocado, and salad.
Yaguarlocro is a tripe soup with avocado, onion, and dried blood.
Librillo is a tripe dish with rice and various other sides, including a fried egg or chorizo.
Sugar Cane Taffy (Melcocha) - Banos is well known for its super sweet taffy. Throughout town, you'll see people stretching the taffy on wooden pegs in the doorways of the candy shops. A small bag of taffy is $1 and makes a great gift.
Sugar Cane Juice (Jugo de Cana) - Banos is also known for sugar cane. Order the juice, or try buying a stalk and sucking it right out as the locals do. You'll see sugar cane being chopped up and bundled for sale everywhere.
Restaurants
La Cascada Cerveceria (Editor's Pick) - Rocafuerte y Maldonado (corner of Central Park). Microbrew pub that serves up excellent food thanks to their American chef, Jason.
Mercado (Editor's Pick) - Ambato Street. Open until 6 p.m. daily, it is the best place to sample regional cuisines like Llapingachos for local prices ($2). Family-style seating is a fun way to dine with the locals.
Cuy Shops - Ambato Street (next to the Mercado). Two small restaurants specializing in cuy are located right next to the Mercado. Look for three guinea pigs skewered on a giant 3-pronged stick and roasting over an open fire. An entire pig costs $17, half of one costs $8.50 (including the head), and a single portion costs about $3.50.
Blah Blah - Halflants near Ambato. Vegetarian food.
Casa Hood - Martinez & Eloy Alfaro (facing Central Park) is a favorite funky restaurant that serves various ethnic cuisines. The pad thai is more like a stir-fry than a traditional dish.
Nightlife
For a small pueblo, Banos rocks on the weekends. The vacationing Ecuadorians fuel the party atmosphere. The three-block Zona Rosa, with all the bars and discotecas, has a sign pointing to it from Ambato Street. In the evenings, follow the loud salsa or reggaeton music to its source.
Bars & Clubs
Leprechaun Bar - Alfaro entre Oriente y Espejo. The most famous bar in Banos is Ecuadorian-owned and features a large fire pit in the back, which creates a unique, outdoorsy atmosphere.
